The Cecil Whig., 1887-07-09
An ENndus From the Enrm

We hear a good deal of late about the
"New South, and the boom which is
said to be springing up in the Southern
States generally, and the idea is endeav-
ored 10 be inculcated that at no distant
day they will eclipse the IRON business
and other great industries in Pcnnsyl-
vania and other states where, for a-half
century or more, these establishments
had been gradually improving up to the
close of the civil war, when they took a
bound which has been greater in its cf-
fects upon the prosperity of the country
than had been secured since the forma-
ton of the government, The true friends
of the South attribute this boom to the
introduction of greater attention to
iron factories in that region, and, GER
tainly, it is proved to be the case by the
great increase in land in the immediate
vicinity of these industries, whilst those
who are determined to keep the eyes cf
the less enlightened blind to the impor-
tance of the protection of home indus
tries, deny that there is any such i'm
provement going on; that it has only au
appearance of prosperity to travellers
railroad, but that the increase Of popula-
ton is from the interior. Well, we will
not attempt to argue the point, but to
present from an undoubtcd reliable
source, the Savannah (Ga.) NtrS, the
following view of a great evil which is
now being experienced in those states
There is phase of life at the South
which not only gives occasion for earnest
thought, but serious alarm. Wien the
war closed, and for a number of years
after, the changed condition of affairs led
many young men to believe that the
cities and towns afforded the best fields
for making a living. Farms and farm
houses were in ruins, labor was disorgau-
lied. and there seemed to be no profit in
tiling the soil. To a very great extent,
therefore, young men sought the centers
of population, while their fathers rented
the farm to negroes. Many found en-
ploymeut as clerks in stores, others en-
tered some one of the learned professions.
AS a rule, the clerks received small sala-
ries, and when the busy season was over,
their occupation was gone until the re-
turn of the fall. In the summer months
some went back to the farms and engaged
in irregular work; but majority re-
manned upon the scene of their spasmodic
careers as clerks, and kicked their shins
in idleneSs. Those who entered profess
SiOnal life Jared no better than the clerks.
y few made fame and fortune, but by
far the greater number barely succeeded
III keeping up the union between body
and soul.
"The example set by these young men
was contagious, because the exodus from
the farms continues, and every year there
is a large increase in the poorly paid
clerks and haif-staryed lawyers and ply
sicians. In recent years the activity in
mining, manufacturing and railroad
building has been an additional induce
meGt to young men to seek the centerS
of population This was never so appa-
rent as at present. The dazzling stories
Of rapidly acquired fortunes in the pur-
snits just mentioned baye caused a rush
of Young men to the cities and towns
that is astonishing, ana to which there
seems no end.
The exodus from the farm has two
unfortunate results. One is that the
farms suffer, and the other is that the
pursuits open to young men in the cities
and towns yearly become more crowded.
thus lessening the opportunities for ac-
quiring a competency. The exodus ought
to stop. 1t is based upon fallacy. Young
men who remain on the farms and cult
vate them intelligently and industiiously
are much more likely to make fortunes
than those who seek livelihood in cities
and towns. Besides, the prosperity of
the country depends upon the prosperity
of the farming interest, and unless farm
ers and the sons of farmers do their duty,
the country cannot prosper